gumbymaster

Fair enough. As was partially my point - the definition of God, Supreme/Superior being, and Creator varries widely. The "who created the creator conundrum" works both ways (i.e. what started the Big Bang) at least until Science's understanding evolves some more.

I have a few problems with the position that a dictionary of the "Western" world chooses to define "God" as the prevelant God of the western religeons. I expect that a dictionary written elsewhere, once traslated, may have a different take. A little toungue and cheek, I hope, but also give some thought... As my child, as a part of his Duty to God, studied the religeons of the world (over time), he became very enamored with the Greek Gods. Now, I expect most of us have relligated the Greek/Roman/Egyptian/Norse gods to relics of our past. Fairy tales. And it would surpise some of us

This is actually one of my major problems with the New Cub Scout Program, in the original drafts, the religious requirements were "faith" which is much more inclusive than the final versions which are "God". The UU had, what I consider to be a pretty good (re)interpretation of God ... http://www.uua.org/beliefs/welcome/higherpower/151278.shtml or specifically as it relates to Scouting (and the Pledge of Alliegance) http://www.uua.org/re/children/scouting/169563.shtml And the BSA position (which unsurprisingly really didn't seem to answer the question of how, just reaffirmed the noti

To a large degree, I think that's what was so wrong about the controversy about the "perversion files". The fact that we had them should not have been an issue, the BSA should be allowed to hold a list of acceptable and unacceptable members (the reason not withstanding). As a private group, outsiders should not be entitled to view them - that could libel individuals in the files. For better or worse, this was one method the BSA used to try and keep our youth safe, and should not have been demonized for having it (the list). Nor should the courts have allowed the release of those individual

While this does push the line of the BSA's policy. It is not up to us to critique how a Scout represents their spirituality or faith. Havey they embodied the Oath and Law in their actions. Have they been Reverent, and they done their Duty to God as they understand it as given to them by their Spiritual Leaders (parents, Church leaders, etc.). That said, it is probably wise to ensure that the Scouts undersand that when going for an Eagle BOR, those members, rightly or wrongly, may not interpret their doing their duty as boadly as you do. The BOR may ask how you can you fulfil a duty if

When those files were first created, there was no such thing as the sex offender registration lists, etc. Now admittdely, not everyone who should be on that list is (insufficient evidence, prosecutorial miscounduct, etc). Also, we have to also face that there are many people on that list who while making specific bad choices in their lives, are not a risk to others. The Ineligible Volunteer files expanded to include even unproven allagations ... As a parent, I agree that it is better to err on the side of safety, that the detriment of the relatively minor number of those on the lists who

These are really good questions. As for critical mass, I am not sure what the National number of scouts would be, but I expect with even as few as a couple hundred thousand or even less, there would be firms willing to produce the uniforms, patches, etc. Heck, I was a member of an explorer post in the 80's when they discontinued makeing the olive green shirts, we just started ordering green work shirts from either Sears or JC Pennys, other than the embroidered "Boy Scouts of America" it was hard to tell the difference. As for making books, requirements, etc.; the cost of printing has

My intent really wasn't to make a case against any of the Catholic, or anyone else's teachings, if you took it as such, my apology. It was simply to say that the Church's position in court would be strengthened, if the rules of disqualification are consistently applied, and not just to GLBT individuals. As for your later comment, about disqualification because he's not a member of the Church, again, fine if consistent; but disqualification because he was a "thorn in their side" would probably be viewed by the Court as reitaliation, which would hurt the Church's position, and open the case

In the end, at least partially, I don't think Gates or National BSA had a choice. The BSA itself is NOT a ministry and would not qualify for a ministry exemption to employment, therefore, they had no choice but to allow for employment at the National, Regional, Council level without discrimination. This includes summer camps, DEs, Scout Store employees. A prior employment requirement that the applicant be a member of the BSA (and thus restricted based on prior membership policies) would not stand a court challenge; and based on NY camp staff issues and others, it probably had to change now.

At least the article itself seemed to be a fair representation of the Church's side. The Church's statements were, in context, well reasoned and did a much better job of explaining the purpose of the local option than anything I have seen from BSA national. That said, it might have improved the response if the Church had explicitly reminded the prospective Leader that the decision applied only to the Church's unit, and that the prospective leader would likely be welcomed at other Scout units. It would also be to the Church's advantage if they were consistent in their rulings (i.e.

Respectfully, I disagree. A leadership position is not a leadership position simply by holding the title, but how that position is used to further the needs of the Troop. I would, personally, be fine with any instrument which had the "reach" of a bugle to be heard across a fair distance so that assemblies could be held, or a revilie that could awaken (most of) the Scouts. It is this position of using their skill to help "herd" the Troop that makes the position a POR. While a flag call and several others can sound very nice done in other instruments - and I'm all in favor of doing so

Interestingly, it is Labor law that may provide the best answer here. There are cases, I think against Macdonalds, that are trying to assert that the employees of a franchise (i.e. Bob's MacDonalds of St. Louis, Inc) really are employees of the Franchisee (i.e. MacDonalds corporate); and aside from all the labor related headaches that will create; that may essentially break a franchise system - there is no value in franchising (to reduce legal risks and administrative headaches), if the franchisee is held responsible for all the acts of the franchise holder. I believe that as long as they

Different or not, that does not mean, for better or for worse that they are allowed to be treated differently or have different opportunites in the current political environment. While the private sector still has more legal options, they are dwindling; but as a society we don't like to treat the genders separately, even when there is justification. For example, under Federal Funding guidelines for medical research; I could have a perfectly effective cancer treatment that worked on men, but it would not receive funding if it did not also work (maybe not as well, but at least to some signi

We did varriations of the Spanish Inquisition, the Dead Parrot and many other (no longer - probably never) appropirate novelty and comedy routines (I personally loved stuff from the Frantics).

I've been a Cubmaster for several years now (I decided not to bridge when my son did). As a matter of full disclosure, I do also have a daughter of Cub Scout age. Now, all that said, I'll respecfully partially disagree. Other than a few changes to some of the skits, I honestly don't see any reason why elementary School aged girls could not be Cub Scouts. Programatically, there is nothing they couldn't do, and the only even close challenge would be Webelos Camping (and at that age, even that would not really be an issue with proper, YPT, adult supervision). The reality is that famili

In many ways, this is the point of the board of review, but not, I think, in the way you assert. My interpretation of the latest guide to advancement (2015), specifically Chapter 8, give the function of the board of review two primary functions to the Scouts' development. 1. The interaction with adults in the manner prepares the Scout for job and school interviews. It gives them the skills, confidence, and practice for this necessary life skill, skills such as being properly attired and prepared. 2. It provides the troop committee a forum to REVIEW the TROOP program and how the SM and ASMs

According to the Merit Badge counselor training I took in February, a Scout Master's signature on the Blue Card is NOT required for the scout to begin work on the Merit Badge, and that the Scout Master, Troop Committee, etc. do NOT have the authority to refuse to allow the scout to work on a Merit Badge nor to question him further on how well he learned the material once the Blue Card is signed.

I do not believe that there are any prohibitions against it. Our CO (a local branch of a national community service club) charters two cub scout packs and a boy scout troop, (and the COR is actually an ASM in a different Troop).

I expect that my perspective may be a little different, as I am predominantly a cub scout leader these days. That said ... My understanding is that officially, the rank badge should be replaced with the square knot at when you turn 18. In practice, I think the spirit of that rule would probably permit youth members of Venture units (or Explorers as we were known when I was young) would allow you to wear the award up to 21 years old. Personally, I'm not sure where to draw the line. Even most scouts and scouters probably don't realize that that knot is the Eagle Scout award (or

With respect to SM Bob, I'd like to take the exact opposite tact. While I will state that the belt loops are a large expense to the unit (maybe even higher than the pinewood derby cars for us), and for that reason alone, I could support dropping the program; I believe that the belt loops (and pins), like most of the boy scout merit badges, has the value of exposing (or at least encouraging being exposed) to things and activities they might not otherwise do. I concede that many of the loops' requirements are satisfied by doing things they would do otherwise, but at the very least, bec

I apologize that I cannot find the reference at the moment, but I do remember looking this up on one of the "official" sites, and that it said up to three interpreter strips. In practice, I don't know too many people who know more than three languages, however, I did have an instructor at University of Scouting that had 4 on his uniform, and two of them were the "over-sized" Asian character strips. That said, I think I agree with Bando. If you qualify for more than one, I think you should wear them. Personally, I'm trying (although not very hard) to add Spanish and ASL (both are more practical

For my cub scouts, I challenged them to learn some knots. If they succeeded, (4 knots for tiger, 8 for Webelos - knots generally recommended for their age level from their scout books) according to their level, I would replace their neckerchief slide with a woggle (turkshead) colored (dyed 1/'8" cotton cord) for their level (orange, yellow, lt. blue, dk. blue, for tiger, wolf, bear, Webelos, etc.) As the neckerchief slide is a "negotiable" part of the uniform, this had the advantage of customization and recognition without adding something new (and the woggles are usually harder to lose while

Is there a place where that letter would be available? I can think of a few roundtable discussions on the challenges on working with such youth members that could use a really good dose of why we make that effort.

I'm no longer in California, but I have set up several business in several states, including non-profit corporations. Churches receive their no-tax status because they are non-profit organizations; However, there in nothing in the Constitution which would prevent a State from taxing all non-profit corporation just like they tax any other corporation. It is a courtesy the State extends to all non-profit organizations (meeting the IRS definition, but that could be changed to a State specific definition if they so desired) that they do not tax the non-profit in the belief that the non-prof

While not quite the same magnitude as the Eagle CoH, in our Cub Pack, for the Arrow of Light / Bridging ceremony; when the Cubmaster's son(s) are recipients/graduates, the CM becomes another parent and the MC and presentation duties pass along to other pack leaders.